Huskers Counting on Aggressive Defensive Play

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska football team began to wind down its week of practices on Thursday afternoon. The team took to the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Field and the Hawks Championship Center for 90 minutes, working out in jerseys and shorts in preparation for their matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend.

Following practice, Head Coach Bo Pelini spoke with the media about what he believed the keys to Saturday's game will be.

"Play hard, be efficient, win the turnover battle," Pelini said. "That's always a big part of it. Execute our football. The team that executes the best is going to win the football game."

When asked about Ohio State's tendency to sling quick passes to receivers on the outside and count on them to break tackles, Pelini said his defense's aggressiveness should lend well to countering that style of play.

"We play pretty aggressive in coverage," Pelini said. "We're going to challenge routes and challenge everything they do. I think our style of play lends to that. We don't play really soft in our coverage. It'll be a good challenge for our guys on the outside."

Pelini also commented on the Big Ten's decision to allow Youngstown, Ohio native and Husker wide receiver Tim Marlowe to travel with the team this weekend.

"Tim's a big part of this football team," Pelini said. "I wish he was playing in the game, but we're happy that he's able to go. He's a real leader on the football team."

Nebraska will conduct a final walk-through practice tomorrow morning before the team travels to Columbus, Ohio later in the day. The Huskers will face Ohio State in a Big Ten showdown at the Horseshoe on Saturday night. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. CDT kickoff and will be broadcast nationally on ABC.